Fake Out: Golf Group's Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign Leads to Seizure of Thousands of Fakes in Recent Raids

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire - Jul 30, 2012) - The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group today announced the completion of another successful raid of an extensive China-based counterfeit operation resulting in the seizure of nearly 5,000 fake golf products. In total, the group has worked with Chinese officials to identify and seize more than 12,000 counterfeit products during 2012.

On May 11, based upon a lead supplied by the Golf Group, Chinese officials raided the Oriental Golf Store in Dongguan City along with two associated warehouses and an assembly workshop. In addition to seizing the fake golf products, the officials confiscated three sets of assembling machines and arrested the owners of the store.

"Government support and enforcement against these criminals is paramount in sending a strong anti-counterfeiting message," said Christa McNamara, Vice President of Corporate Communications for TaylorMade-adidas Golf. "We will continue our campaign to educate consumers about counterfeiting and as long as there are counterfeiters out there taking advantage of consumers, we'll be working with government officials to bring these counterfeiters to justice."

"We make a substantial investment each year to develop authentic and innovative equipment that allows golfers to perform at their best and achieve their goals," said Tim Buckman, Vice President of Global Communications for Callaway Golf. "Counterfeit clubs are made with shoddy materials, very often in dreadful and unsafe conditions, and the result is a terrible product that harms the golfer's bank account and score card. Every successful raid is another step forward in this ongoing battle that is hurting our sport." 

More information about counterfeit golf clubs and products can be found at www.keepgolfreal.com.

About the Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group

The Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group consists of five of the most well-known golf companies in the world -- Callaway-Odyssey; TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Ashworth; PING; Cleveland Golf, Srixon and Never Compromise; and Acushnet Company whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron. Since 2004, the Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group has worked with international law enforcement and government agencies to conduct raids and investigations of counterfeit operations, as well as raise public awareness of the issue. In 2011 alone, the group seized more than 80,000 counterfeit golf products.